Mechanical musical instrument.



P. SCHWARZE.

MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20 9'4- 1 1 9 1 ,540. Patented July 18, 1916.

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P. SCHWARZE.

MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20, 1914.

Patented July 18, 1916.

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MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY20.19I4.

Patented July 18, 1916.

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P. SCHWARZE.

MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. 19M.

Patented July 18, 1916.

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WI TNESSES ma Non-ms runs I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL SCHWARZE, OF ASTORIA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR 1'0 WESSELL, NICKEL & GROSS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 18, 1916.

To all w hom it may concern Be it known that I, PAUL SoHwARzE, a citizen of the United States, residin in Astoria, Queens county, Long Island, tate of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanical Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof.

In pneumatic player pianos the pedals by which the power bellows are operated are now commonly arranged so that they may be folded within the casing of the piano and a panel or panels are arranged to slide across the opening in which they stand while in operative position, so that, when the piano is not in use, the interior shall be protected from dust and the exterior shall present a more attractive appearance. Usually the pedals are moved into and out of operative position and the sliding panel is moved in one direction or the other by the application of the foot or the hand, although mechanical means have been devised for the movement of the panel or panels and also for the release of the pedals so that they may fall into operative position by gravity or under the influence of a spring.

The present invention is concerned with means for moving the pedals into and out ofoperative position and for moving the panels to their closed or open position and the improved means are preferably so constructed that through the movement of a single handle or other manually operated device the desired movements of the pedals into or out of operative position and of the panel or panels may be effected, provisions being made whereby the movements of the pedals and the panels must take place successively and cannot take place simultaneously.

The invention will be more fully explained hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which it is illustrated and in which Figure 1 is a view in elevation, partly broken out, showing the lower portion of a player piano with the improved pedal and panel operating devices in position thereon, the pedals being shown in their operative position and the panel being shown in its open position. views, partly elevation as seen from he Figs. 2 and 3 are detail right hand in Fig. 1, showing, respectively, the pedals in their operative position and in their inoperative position. Fig. t is a detail vlew, on a larger scale, showing the operating handle and some of its connections. Fig. 5 is an end view of the parts shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a view generally similar to Fig. 4 but with the parts in different positions and with the rotary rod and supports in section. Fig. 7 is a top view of the rotary rod and link shown in Fig. 6. Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views on the planes indicated by the lines S8 and 9-9 of Fig. 6. Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are views generally similar to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but showing the same operating mechanism applied to the operation of pedals which are inverted as they are folded in, instead of folding without being inverted as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. In Fig. 10 the parts are shown in the positions which they occupy when the pedals have been folded in to their inoperative position and the panel has been closed.

Referring first to the construction. shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the power bellows a are shown as mounted within the casing b of the piano in the usual manner, the movable member a of each power bellows being connected by a link a with the corresponding pedal 0, the link a being connected, as usual, to the pedal near its upper or rearward end. The lower or outer end of each pedal 0 is mounted, by brackets 0, upon the rod d which is common to both pedals and is mounted in the outer ends of links c. Also mounted so as to swing on the rod d are the supporting legs 6', which are provided at their lower ends with suitable feet 0 to rest upon the floor. "To each leg 6, near its lower end, is pivotally connected a link e and both the links 6 and e are pivotally connected at their rearward or inner ends to a corresponding lever 6 the arrangement being such that when the pedals are in their operativeposition, as shown in Fig. 2, the links 0 and 6 the leg 0, and the corresponding portion of the lever 6, form a substantial parallelogram. The lever e is curved substantially as shown, having at its outer end the downwardly extending portion 6 to which the links 6 and e are pivotally connected. It is also provided, just above the pivotal connection of the link 6, with a stop plate 6 and with a forwardly and upwardly curved guide arm 6 the latter cooperating, in the folding and unfolding movement of the pedals, with an antifriction roller 0 on the outer side of the corresponding pedal. The lever c is also provided near its rearward or inner end with a downward extension 0 by which the bar is pivotally mounted upon a standard 0 secured within the piano casing, and with a rearward extension 0 to which is connected the lower end of an operating link f.

The operating link is a jointed link, comprising the members f and f, which are pivotally connected at f and at their point of pivotal connection are pivotally supported on a swinging arm 7" which is mounted on some fixed part of the frame. The jointing of the link f and its connection with the swinging arm f which acts as a thrust arm, permits a change in direction of application of the moving force on the lever 0 during the movement of the parts and, through the toggle-like action of the jointed link, a reduction of the force exerted upon the folding pedals as they approach the limit of motion in either direction, whereby shocks are avoided. Furthermore, since the two arms 7* are secured to a common shaft ffl-mounted in suitable bearings f the two arms f and therefore the two links f may be operated through a single link f which is connected to one of the arms 7. A coiled spring f may be applied to the shaft f to counterbalance to some extent the weight of the pedals in their movement to and from operative position. The single link f, is pivotally connected to one arm f of a bell-crank lever f f, mounted in suitable hearings, to the other arm f of which the actuating device is connected.

The actuating mechanism is so constructed that by one movement of the operating handle, that is, by movement in one plane, the pedals are moved into or out of operative position according to the direction of movement of the operating handle, and by another movement, that is, movement in an other plane, the sliding panel is moved to open or closed position according to the direction of movement of the operating handle in that plane. In the construction shown the movement of the pedals is effected by a to and fro or longitudinal movement of one of the intermediate parts of the actuating mechanism, while the movement of the slid ing panel is effected by a partial rotary movement of the same intermediate part. Provision is also made whereby both movements of such intermediate part cannot take place at the same time.

In the construction shown a rod or shaft 9, which is slotted longitudinally (see Fig. 7 is mounted to have rotary movement in suitable bearings g affixed to the frame. The rod or shaft 9 consists practically of two separate parts which are held together only by a pin 9 and by the hub of an arm is to be referred to. In the slot 9 or between the parts of the rod or shaft 9 lies a bar h which is slotted as at 71 to receive the pin and has loosely pivoted thereto, at its rearward or inner end, a link g which is pivotally connected to the arm 7. The construction is such that there is a movement of rotation of the bar 71, with respect to the arm 7, but the extent of such movement is slight and may be accommodated by a looseness in the pivotal connection or by relative rotation of the two threaded members. It will be observed that the bar It may be moved longi tudinally with respect to the rod or shaft y but that the bar and the rod have a rotary movement together.

To the rear or outer end of the bar It is pivotally connected the operating handle which, for the purpose of ellecting longitudinal movement of the bar It, is fulcrumed freely on a' pin e" fixed in an extension of the plate which forms the outer bearing This plate limits in one direction the turning movement of the handle i with the bar h and the shaft g, but in the opposite direction the handle 2' can be swung ofl from the pin a", as clearly shown in Figs. 2t and 5, the handle then turning about the axis of the shaft 9. The bar 72, is provided on its upper edge with a projection 71 which, when the operating handle 2' is in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, stands rearward of the bearing and therefore permits the bar and the shaft to be rotated, but as soon as the outward or forward movement of the operating handle 2' commences the projection 71, passes between the two parts of the outer bearing 9 and so prevents immediately any rotation of the bar It and shaft 9 after the forward longitudinal movement of the handle i and bar h has commenced. As the forward movement is continued the bar itself is raised, as shown in Fig. (3, between the two parts of the bearing, whereby rotation of the bar and shaft is prevented after the projection if has passed forwardly beyond the bearing. Longitudinal movement of the bar 71,, during rotary movement of the bar and shaft, is prevented by the standing of the projection 72, forward of the outer bear ing 9 as shown in Fig. 4. To the rearward or inner end of the shaft g is secured an arm K: which is connected by a link k with the sliding panel k which is suitably mounted in ways 73 secured to the casing. Through the arm 7:: and the link 7: the sliding movement of the panel is effected through the rotary movement of the bar it and shaft g as described.

In the operation of the construction shown in Figs. l9, if it be assumed that the pedals are in their inoperative position and that the panel is closed, the handle 2', which is then in the position shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, is

grasped and rotated about the axes of the shaft 9 to the position shown in Fig. 1. This movement draws back the panel from the closed position indicated in Fig. 3, to the open position indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. The partial rotation of theshaft g brings the projection 7L2 into line with the slot or opening between the two parts of the outer bearing 9 and at the same time places the upper end of the operating lever i in engagement with the pivot pin 2'. The handle is then pulled outwardly, from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig, 6, and this movement, through the bar it and the bell-crank f 7, causes the jointed link f f tobe pulled upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 2. This causes the levers c to be turned upon their pivotal supports 6 from the position shown in Fig. 8 to the position shown in Fig. 2. Through. the connection of the shaft (Z and legs a with the extension 0 of the lever e by the two links 6 and 6 the lower and outer ends of the pedals" c are carried outwardly and downwardly in advance of the upper and inner ends of the pedals which are supported by the links a and at the same time the legs 6' are swung outwardly and downwardly into position to support the pedals in their operative posi tion.

It will be observed that when the pedals are in their operative position the two pivots of the links 6 and the pivots of the extensions e of the arms 6 are in the same straight line so that pressure against the pedals, in their operation, does not tend to move the pedals from their operative position. The antifriction rollers 0 in the depression of the pedals, pass clear of the guide arms 6 WVhen the pedals are to be restored to their inoperative position the handle i is pressed downward and the movements of the parts are reversed. The levers c are swung upwardly on their pivots carrying the pedals upwardly and inwardly to their inoperative positions without invert ing them, and thereby dirt which gathers on the pedals may be discharged outside of the casing instead of being dumped within the casing as is the case when the pedals are inverted when they are being moved to inoperative position.

In the beginning of the movement of the pedals to inoperative position the guide arms 0 pass at once behind the antifriction rollers 0 and thereby prevent any possibility of the movement of the pedals into an improper position through yielding of the movable members of the power bellows during the movement of the pedals to inoperative position.

It will be understood that as soon as the levers a begin their upward and inward movement, the lower and outer ends of the .projection la behind the bearing 9 pedals, by reason of the weight of the pedals and legs 0 and through the link connection 6 e assume a relatively lower position and at the same time swing inward toward the front of the piano.

In the operative position of the pedals the stop plates 6" rest upon the links 6 and prevent further relative movement of the links 6 and the levers e. The abutting faces of the stop plates 0 and the links 6 may be cushioned to prevent shock.

When the pedals have been moved to inoperative position the bar it enters completely within the slotted shaft 9, with the The handle 2' may then be rotated from the position shown in Figs, 1 and 5 to the position shown in Fig. 3, by which operation the panel 76 is closed.

It may be desired in some cases,by reason of the simpler construction of the means for supporting and moving the pedals, to permit the pedals to be inverted during the movement to inoperative position, notwithstanding the discharge of loose dirt thereon within the casing of the instrument. In such case the actuating mechanism is constructed as already described and further explanation thereof is therefore unnecessary. The connecting mechanism and the mechanism immediately associated with the pedals, however, are constructed as shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12 to which reference may now be had. The pedals 0 are mounted at their outer ends upon a common shaft 03 which is itself mounted in supporting blocks (5 At their forward, inner ends the pedals are connected by links a with the movable members a of the power bellows a. The supporting blocks (Z have rigidly secured thereto rods (Z which are pivotally connected, as at cl, to fixed supports (Z Each of the rods (Z is provided, near its pivot (i with an arm (Z to which is pivotally connected the corresponding link f. The two links f are connected at their upper ends to arms f of a shaft f which has at one end an arm 7 to which the link 9" of the actuating mechanism is pivotally connected. The link 9 as described with reference to the construction shown in Figs. 19, is pivotally connected to the bar 71, which is supported for longitudinal movement by the slotted shaft 9. The bar it is connected at its outer end to the handle 2' as before and the shaft g, at its inner end, carries, as before, the arm 7: by which, through the rotation of the shaft g, the link k and the sliding panel are operated. The operation of the actuating mechanism need not be further described. When the link 7 is pulled upwardly by the movement of the handle 2', the rods (Z are swung upwardly on their pivots d and carry the supporting blocks with the shaft d and the outer ends of the ating handle movable in difierent planes,-

connections whereby the movable panel is operated through movement of the actuating handle in one plane, and connections whereby the folding pedal mechanism is actuated through movement of the actuating handle in the other plane.

2. The combination of a folding pedal mechanism, a movable panel, a single actuating handle movable in different planes, connections whereby the movable panel is actuated through movement of the actuating handle in one plane, connections whereby the folding pedal mechanism is actuated through movement of the actuating handle in the other plane, and devices whereby the handle, during movement in either plane, is locked against movement in the other plane.

3. The combination of a folding pedal mechanism, a movable panel, a revoluble member and operating connections therefrom to one of said first named parts, a longitudinally movable member and operating connections therefrom to the other of said parts, and a single actuating handle operatively connected to said revoluble member to rotate the same and to said longitudinally movable member to move the same longitudinally.

4. The combination of a folding pedal mechanism, a movable panel, a revoluble member and operating connections there from to one of said first named parts, a longitudinally movable member and operating connections therefrom to the other of said parts, a single actuating handle operatively connected to said revoluble member to rotate th same and to said longitudinally movable member to move the same longitudinally, and devices to prevent longitudinal movement of said longitudinally movable member during rotary movement of the revoluble member and vice versa.

5. The combination of a folding pedal mechanism, a movable panel, a rotary shaft and operating connections therefrom to one of said first named parts, said shaft being slotted longitudinally, a longitudinally movable bar lying normally in the slot of said shaft and operating connections therefrom to the other of said parts, and a single actuating handle pivotally connected to said bar and having a free pivot, whereby said handle may be swung upon its pivot to move the bar longitudinally or may be rotated about the axis of the shaft to rotate the shaft and bar.

6. The combination of a folding pedal mechanism, a movable panel, a rotary shaft and operating connections therefrom to one of said first named parts, a longitudinally movable bar and operating connections therefrom to the other of said first named parts and an actuating handle in operative engagement with said bar and with said shaft and movable in one plane to move the bar longitudinally and in another plane to move the shaft rotarily.

7. The combination of a pedal mechanism, movable panel, a rotary shaft and operating connections therefrom to one of said first named parts, said shaft being slotted longitudinally, a longitudinally movable bar lying normally in the slot of said shaft and operating connections therefrom to the other of said parts, a slotted bearing for said shaft, said bar having a lug which stands normally clear of the bearing and is carried by longitudinal movement of the bar into the slotted portion of the bearing, and a single actuating handle pivotally connected to said bar and having a free pivot, whereby said handle may be swung upon its pivot to move the bar longitudinally or may be rotated about the axis of the shaft to rotate the shaft and bar.

8. A folding mechanism comprising a pedal pivotally mounted at its outer end, a transmitting link connected thereto at the inner end of the pedal, an operating lever pivotally mounted on a fixed support at its inner end, means to actuate said operating lever and a link connection between the operating lever and the outer end of the pedal.

9. A folding mechanism comprising a pedal pivotally mounted at its outer end, a transmitting link connected thereto at its inner end, an operating lever pivotally mounted at its inner end, and a link c011- nection between the operating lever and the outer end of the pedal, said operating lever having a stop plate for cooperation with said link connection.

10. A folding mechanism comprising a pedal pivotally mounted at its outer end, a transmitting link connected thereto at the inner end of the pedal, an operating lever pivotally mounted on a fixed support at its inner end, means to actuate said operating lever and a link connection between the op erating lever and the outer end of the pedal, the operating lever having a guide arm for cooperation with the pedal.

11. A folding pedal mechanism comprising a pedal pivotally mounted at its outer end, a transmitting link connected thereto at its inner end, an operating lever pivotally mounted at its inner end and having at its outer end a downward extension, a supporting leg pivotally mounted on the pedal at its outer end, a link connection between the operating lever and the outer end of the pedal and a second link connection between the operating lever at'its lower extremity and the lower end of the supporting leg.

12. A folding pedal mechanism comprising a pedal pivotally mounted at its outer end, a transmitting link connected thereto at its inner end, an operating lever pivotally mounted at its inner end and having at its outer end a downward extension, a supporting leg pivotally mounted on the pedal at its outer end, a link connection between the operating lever and the outer end of the pedal and a second link connection between the operating lever at its lower extremity and the lower end of the supporting leg,

the operating lever having a stop plate for cooperation with the upper link.

18. A folding pedal mechanism comprising a pedal pivotally mounted at its outer end, a transmitting link connected thereto at its inner end, an operating lever pivotally mounted at its inner end and having at its outer'end a downward extension, a supporting leg pivotally mounted on the pedal at its outer end, a link connection between the operating lever and the outer end of the pedal and a second link connection between the operating lever at its lower extremity and the lower end of the supporting leg, the operating lever having a guide arm for cooperation with the pedal.

14. In a panel and pedal operator, the combination with a piano case, of a movable panel, pedals, a handle movable successively in two planes, and means for pivotally connecting the handle with the panel and pedals and including devices engaged and disengaged by the movements of the handle in one plane whereby the panel and pedals are operated at different times by movements of the handle in different planes.

This specification signed and witnessed this 19th day of May A. D., 1914.

PAUL SCH-WVARZE.

Signed in the presence of:

HENRY A. NICKEL, Gnonen L. KOENIG.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 0! Patents, Washington, D. G. 

